Anniversary of Health Care Law Inspires Show of Support from Advocates and Beneficiaries

One year after President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, events around the country are highlighting how millions of people are benefiting from the law, providing an opportunity to reinvigorate supporters and to push back against those seeking to repeal or defund of some or all of its provisions.

The ACA will expand health insurance coverage to 32 million people, ensure investments in disease prevention, and help to close the disparity in health care for the nation’s most underserved communities – including low-income families, people of color, women, seniors, and people with disabilities.

According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, “Nearly two-hundred events and actions are taking place this week across the country with seniors, kids, small businesses, faith communities, and young people coming together to explain how they are benefiting from the law right now and to highlight what is at stake as opponents of reform work overtime to take away those benefits and put insurance companies back in charge of health care decisions for America’s families.” The events will include workshops, roundtable discussions, town hall meetings, and press conferences with Members of Congress and Administration officials.

In an op-ed published today in Politico, Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference, said, “It took a century for the federal government to meaningfully address the need for a just and equitable health care system that shows respect for the lives of all Americans. We must protect the integrity and continuity of the law."